Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles – February 22, 2016

Since my Friday message, I have been thinking more deeply about the various conversations and email exchanges that have occurred recently. I’m looking for new ways to have real dialogue around those issues that we collectively determine are most important. We’ve had conversation around a new schools structure, Achieving the Dream, shared governance, search and screen committees, recognition for the crucial role played by adjunct faculty, lower enrollments, and increased pressure on budgets. But I would like to approach further dialogue with more conviction and intentionality—and return to a format that I started last summer with meetings with department chairs. Basically, I want to continue to get to know you better.

I’m proud that for many of you I know your names and have already worked on specific projects with you or have had conversations or email exchanges. But I’d like to continue that process of meeting new people, learning about your areas of expertise, and understanding your contributions to the college’s mission. Accordingly, Yolanda Howell will be reaching out to department directors, chairs and other unit leaders to schedule time for me to meet in small groups and have a real back-and-forth conversation about the college’s future. You don’t have to wait for Yolanda, though. I’d appreciate hearing from you if you want to take the lead on scheduling this meeting and working with me to shape the agenda.

I have an objective in mind: to spend the next 90 days working with you to develop a plan for 2016-2017 during which we work together as a cohesive unit toward our shared goals.

To everyone who has voiced their views, I hear you. Whether you have done it through my email, during a private meeting, or in a public forum, I sincerely appreciate every opportunity to get to know you better. The upcoming meetings will be another way for us to power through this time of uncertainty and develop clarity around our purpose and goals. I highly value your honesty and sharing.

The opportunity to be in service to you and the institution energizes me each day. Thank you.

Building Minds. Building Futures.

Westchester Community College provides
accessible, high quality and affordable education
to meet the needs of our diverse community.
We are committed to student success, academic
excellence, workforce development, economic
development and lifelong learning.